River Cruise Travel Tips
Announcements
The ships are equipped with a public announcement system to relay important passenger information while onboard. Please pay attention to the announcements. Although not all announcements are made in the cabins during recreation hours, you may regulate the cabin volume with the rotary wall switch.
Attire
Cruise attire is casual for all activities. In particular, comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended for sightseeing. Evening wear is generally smart casual or business smart, and is recommended for the Captain's Welcome and Farewell dinners. Evening dresses or jacket and tie is also appropriate attire. Shorts, tee shirts or bathing attire are not permitted in the restaurant area.
Beverages
In the Panorama Salon, a generous selection of beverages and cocktails is offered daily.
Bow camera
On your information channel you will find the pictures projected by the bow camera.
Cabin card
Your cabin card is also your onboard identity card. When ordering beverages please show the bartender your identity card. In order to avoid any abuse of cards, please contact the reception desk immediately if you lose your cabin card.
Cabin change
If you wish to change your cabin category, please contact your cruise director, who will advise availability.
Dining Room Seating
Requests will be accepted by the maître d'hotel on sailing day. Gate 1 Travel will accept requests for dining time preference, but cannot be guarantee confirmation prior to embarkation.
Child Policy
All children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Minimum age for children on a river cruise is twelve. Cabins may be booked as Single or Double occupancy only. A child is permitted to stay in a cabin with an adult however there is no cost reduction for either the cruise or the included sightseeing.
Cruise director
At all times the cruise director is at your disposal for all questions concerning the travel program and the excursions.
Currency/exchange of money
The general currency on board is the Euro. The ships use is a cashless system. All purchased drinks will be booked to your cabin account. On the last evening you may pay by cash, Euro traveller checks or credit card (American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Diners). There is no exchange of money on board.
Daily program
The cruise director arranges your daily program. The daily program for the following day is delivered in your cabin while you are at dinner.
Dietary Restrictions
Passengers requiring special diet must advise GATE 1 TRAVEL and the ship at the least 20 days prior to departure. However we are pleased to assist within the limits of those products available onboard.
Disembarkation
You will receive all relevant information concerning disembarkation in detail by your cruise director on the afternoon of your last day onboard.
Drugstore articles
The reception has a small selection of drugstore articles.
Excursions
During your journey you will have the opportunity to take part in a variety of shore excursions. If you have not pre-booked the excursions, there will be an opportunity to do so onboard with your cruise director. These excursions will be charged in cash only.
First aid
There is first aid equipment on board. Your cruise director and respectively one representative from the hotel department and nautics are educated in first aid. In case of an emergency contact the reception immediately.
Games
There are games at your disposal. Don’t hesitate to contact the reception. We ask you to return the game after having used it.
Guests onboard
You are welcome to invite guests on board, with the prior approval of your cruise director.
Hair dryer
Hair dryers are available for in-cabin use only. The bathroom power socket is only suitable for electric shavers.
Information
Generally the whole crew on board will be pleased to assist you. If you have questions concerning excursions please don’t hesitate to contact your cruise director on board.
Insect control
Particularly during journeys in the summer months we recommend to keep the window screens closed.
Landing stage
When the ship has docked completely and has been cleared by the local authorities it goes without saying that you can disembark. Please pay attention to the announcements and the time of departure expressed in your daily program.
Laundry service
If you wish to have clothes laundered, please use the laundry bag in your cabin. There is a price list in your cabin. Complete the enclosed order form and place your laundry bag on your bed. Please note there is no dry cleaning available onboard.
Library
You are welcome to borrow a book from the library on board. Don’t hesitate to contact the reception. We ask you to return the book after having read it.
Locks
To avoid injuries it is not permitted to lean out from the window while passing through a canal lock.
Mini bar
A selection of beverages and small snacks is available in your cabin’s mini-bar. The mini bar is filled daily. Consumption will be billed to your cabin account. Please note the price list in your cabin.
Newspapers
When there is the availability we will endeavor to offer you the latest news during the journey. Please do not take these newspapers to the cabin.
Paper/envelopes
You will find them in you information folder in your cabin. If you need some more please contact your reception.
Passports and Visas
The passports are kept securely at the reception and are controlled regularly by local immigration authorities.
Non-US citizens may require a visa for Slovakia.
For more information, please see click here.
Pharmacy
When there is the availability we will endeavor to offer you the latest news during the journey. Please do not take these newspapers to the cabin.
Post
You can obtain postcards and stamps at the reception desk. You may also post them there.
Questionnaire
At the end of your journey you will find a questionnaire in your cabin. Please take the time to fill out this questionnaire and deliver it at the reception. We appreciate all your comments.
Reception
The reception is available 24 hours.
Restaurant
Breakfast is an extensive buffet. At lunch and dinner we serve you variety of cuisine. We kindly ask you to appear punctually at the beginning of the meal times to enable smooth service for all patrons. We look forward to providing you pleasant and satisfying service. It is not permitted to carry out meals from the restaurant.
Room service
In medical cases we kindly offer you a small room service (tea, hot soup).
Safety regulations
The ships have a high safety standard and reliable crew. When there is a case of emergency we ask you to follow the instructions of your crew. Please take further information concerning safety from the notice on your door. You will find your life jacket in the cupboard in your cabin. Leaving the ship we ask you to exchange your cabin card against your personal land card at the reception. This card serves as your security. We can determine immediately if all passengers are on board to continue cruising.
Ship & Cabin Climate Control
All areas onboard are air-conditioned. While the air-conditioning system in all public areas including the restaurant and lounge are centrally controlled, you can control the temperature in your cabin.
Shop
All articles issued in the showcase may be purchased. Please contact the reception.
Smoking
Smoking is only allowed in designated areas on the sundeck. Please do not throw cigarettes overboard.
Spa
The Spa is open daily from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm. For a fee of 50 euros you may borrow a bathrobe at the reception. (Your deposit will be returned upon return.)
Table reservation
During embarkation your Maître d’hotel is at your disposal for your table reservation; you maintain this table during the whole journey.
Telefax device
A telefax device is at the reception. We ask for your understanding that outgoing faxes are charged at 2.00 euros.
Table reservation
During embarkation your Maître d’hotel is at your disposal for your table reservation; you maintain this table during the whole journey.
Telephone
You may make outside calls from your cabin. First dial 0 for the overhead line, followed by preselection of the respective country, then the respective local preselection (without 0) and the call number. Calls will be charged to your cabin account. The cost of a phone call is approximately 0.55 euro/clock or approx. 3.3 euro/minute.
Tipping
$10 per person per day. Tips are shared by the ship's crew, with the exception of the cruise manager, local guides, bus drivers and others who may have provided special services. Tips may be left in the tip box at the front desk at the conclusion of the cruise.
Towel change
We ask you to put your towels on the floor if you would like to have your towels changed.
TV
The ship has a satellite system, which guarantees a television reception. When passing bridges or locks short reception disturbances may occur. We ask for your understanding.
Valuable articles/security
We recommend you to keep valuable articles and money in your personal safe in your cabin. You can program your safe with your personal code. During excursions it is advisable to carry only a little money with you. It is recommended to carry valuable articles close to the body.
Wake-up service
A personal wake up call can be booked at the reception.